Wrapping and sealing machine



Oct. 15, 1 0. E. A. MULLER 18,292

WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. l 2, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS E. A. MULLER 2,218,292

WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 15, 1940.

Oct. 15, 1940. E. A. MULLER WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR Edward fl..7)/'uZZer 5 WNN ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 15, 1940 I 2,218,292

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mmtiiimm :1 :32: i f l a stg n rtfsms 90laims. (01.93-2) The present invention relates generally to imdering unlikely damage other than wear reprovements in package wrapping devices and sultant from ordinary use.

more particularly to improvements in apparatus In the drawings:

for wrapping packages in sheet material, such Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the new as Cellophane and the like. and improved wrapping machine and illustrating. 5

It is presently customary to market many difa sealing means carried thereby.

ferent types of products in packages wrapped in Figure 2 is a top plan view of the machine with thin, essentially transparent sheet material, such the folding fingers in retracted position.

as Cellophane or the like. It has been usual Figure 3 is a top plan view of the machine with to wrap these products by hand, that is to say, the folding fingers in Projected position- 10 the product was enveloped in a sheet of material Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the of appropriate size and the end of the sheet machine with the tripping mechanism in regathered together with appropriate means for leased position. holding the same in sealed condition. This proure 5 is a front elevational View of the cedure has been unsatisfactory for several reamachine with the trippi mechanism in Set 15 sons, notably it has been diflicult to provide suit- PO i I B- able sealing means for the end parts of the Figure 6 is a transverse Sect onal View through Cellophane which would present a neat and the machine d taken: a tia ly on the agreeable appearance. A further disadvantage e 5-5 Figure is that the process being composed essentially Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken 2 of hand operations performed in sequence does Substantially O line -1 0! Figure 3 and illusnot tend to make for uniformity of product. A tl'fltiiig the p released P o in tWO still further disadvantage of the prior art process P iti n referred to is that it was often difficult especially Figure 8 is a top p ew with parts ved with objects of irregular shape to properly ento more clearly illustrate the relation of the 25 velope the object in sheet material preparatory f in fingers.

to sealing the edges of said sheet. Fi 9 s a OP P w Of the folding fi The primary object of the invention is to progeis actuating Plate ved om the device. vide an apparatus embodying means for recelvgure 10 is a partial sectional view taken sub- 80 ing the article to be wrapped, said article being stantifliiy 0 e 0 of Figure disposed in the sheet of wrapping material and Figure 11 is a sectional view taken substanafter positioning in the machine the ends of the tiaily On ne o F gu e 6.

material are folded over the article by actuated Figure 12 is an enlarged Sectional View 8- fingers and while held thereby in folded relation trat n the p ti n f th pa ka e and crinkled are sealed by appropriate sealing means, Cellophane wrapper prior to folding the ends 35 It is among the more important objects of the thereofpresent invention to provide new and improved Figure 13 is a sectional view similar to Figure means for wrapping packages particularly ir- 12 With e fo fingers in n ement With regularly shaped objects or packages in sheet he Cellophane" wrapper.

4o material, such as Cellophane or the like where- Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional o by an essentially continuous covering of pleasant View taken substantially on line of and attractive appearance is provided. Figure Another object of the instant invention is to f fl gf 16 f f a the provide means for facilitating wrapping of obge 5 remove 9 8 e gure 17 is a perspective view of a finished ects 1n an essentially continuous fibrous sheet article wrapped with the herein describkd 45 wherein means are included for uniting end and machine. edge portlons of Sam sheet present an attrac' Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view illustrattive and permanent seal.

ing the use of a modified form of rin for One of the more important features of the wrapping a glass tumbler or t 111 g novel package wrapping device according to the Figure 19 1 a t plan View of t modified present invention is that it comprises relatively form of ring ll t t in Figure 1a,

few parts, each of which is characterized by sim- Briefly described, the present invention co plicity and ruggedness of construction thereby prises the use of a substantially rectangular minimizing initial cost of manufacture and renshaped frame having disposed within the inu terior thereof a hingedly mounted platform. An appropriate sized opening is formed in the top wall of the frame which is of a size to accommodate the article to be wrapped. A removable metallic ring lines the opening and is preferably formed with a plurality of teeth adapted to engage the crinkled surface of the wrapping material. The article to be wrapped is first placed within the opening and rests on the hingedly mounted platform with the wrapping material extending along the side walls of the article and the ends thereof projecting beyond the opening. A series of metallic fingers are disposed about the opening and are adapted to be manually actuated to gather and fold the projecting ends of the wrapping 'material about the bottom of the article. Appropriate means is provided for retaining the fingers in projected position while sealing the folded edges. After effecting the sealing operation the finished article is discharged through the open end of the frame by releasing the platform through a suitable tripping mechanism.

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description thereof, the device indicated generally by the reference numeral comprises a substantially rectangular shaped frame 2| substantially closed on all sides with the exception of the front wall 22 which is formed with an opening 23 through which the wrapped article is discharged.

The article 24 to be wrapped is supported on a platform 25, said platform being of substantially the same size as the frame and mounted on hinges 26 attached to the rear wall 21 of the frame. The platform is appropriately balanced by means of the counter-weight 28, said counter-weight being adjustable in conformity with the weight of the article 24 being wrapped. It is to be understood that the platform 25 is movably mounted on the hinges and when released by a suitable trip mechanism to be hereinafter described moves to the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings, to discharge the wrapped package through the opening 23. The complete frame 2| is supported on the base 29 which forms a part thereof as clearly shown in the drawings.

When using a crinkled sheet of Cellophane material for wrapping the article 24, said article is first positioned in the device with the material thereon and the edges 30 of the Wrapper extending upwardly beyond the top edge of the machine as better disclosed in Figure 12 of the drawings. The primary purpose of the present invention is to gather or fold the extending edges 30 of the wrapper in a manner to permit sealing thereof so that a finished article, generally attractive in appearance, is presented. The central portion of the top member 3| of the frame 2| is formed with a circular shaped opening therein adapted to receive a. removable ring 32. When a crinkled Cellophane wrapper is used, the ring 32 is employed, the inner surface of which is formed with spaced teeth 33 engageable in the folds of the'crinkled wrapper to cause the material to closely engage the walls of the article. The ring 32, as aforeindicated, is removable so that if desired a ring having a smooth inner surface may be used, said ring being frictionally held within the top member as clearly disclosed in the drawings. After the package 24 has been inserted within the device the toothed ring retains the wrapper against the walls of the package so that the extending edges can be folded by the mechjecting fingers 35 are substantially rectangular shaped and one end 36 thereof is partially circular in outline for engagement with the wrapper when projected. In assembly, a portion of the fingers are adapted to overlie each other and accordingly a portion of the circular ends of said fingers are cut out as indicated at 31 and 33 whereby they are adapted to assume the position illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings.

The fingers 35 are slidably disposed between triangular shaped guide members 39 attached in spaced relation on the plate 34, by screws or the like 40. Each finger is formed with a projecting pin 4| which is movable in spaced slots 42 formed in the actuating ring 43. Movement of the ring 43 through the medium of the handle 44 causes the fingers to be projected laterally for engagement with the edges 30 of the wrapper to gather and fold the same inwardly as illustrated in Figures 7 and 13 of the drawings. The ring 43 is loosely held on the several fingers by the pins 4| engaging the slots 42 and said ring is guided in its movement by plate 45, the outer edge of which is attached to the plate 34. The assembly is completed by securing the stationary ring 46 in superposed relation over the several plates and held thereto by fastening means 46'. Thus it will be seen that the actuating ring 43 revolves between the ring 46 and plate 45 causing the pins 4| to move within their respective slots to project the fingers 35 laterally to gather and fold the extending edges 30 of the wrapping material. The ring 43 is actuated by the handle 44 moving in the direction of the arrow 41 to change the position of the fingers 35 from that illustrated in Figure 2 to the illustration of Figure 3 of the drawings.

If desired a means such as indicated at 46 in Figure 1 of the drawings can be employed for' sealing the folded edges of the wrapper. The means indicated comprises an arm 49 attached to one side of the frame 2| and forms a support for the electrical heating element 50 carried on the rod 5| and slidably disposed in the guide sleeve 52 mounted on the free end of said arm. Depressing the rod 5| through the end 53 forces the heating element into engagement with the folded edges of the wrapper to supply sumcient heat to seal the same. The tension spring 54 returns the rod 5| to normal position upon release of pressure on the end 53.

It is also to be understood that the electrical sealing means above referred to can be eliminated and a seal such as indicated at 55 in Figure 17 of the drawings can be manually applied to the folded edges of the wrapper.

Appropriate means is provided for retaining the fingers in projected position while applying the sealing means to the folded edges of the wrapper and, simultaneously with discharging the packaged product, to return the fingers to normal position. The platform 25 is held in locked position by means of the notched end 56 of the pivoted lever 51 engaging a projection 56 formed on the end of said platform. The lever 51 is pivoted at 59 and further includes a releasin lever 66 having a finger engaging portion 6| ex* tending beyond the frame.

' Depressing the portion 6| releases the end 56 4 from the projection 58 to permit the'platform to move to the dotted line position illustrated in Figure '7 of the drawings for discharge of the wrapped article. A plate 62 to which thelever 51 and the associated tripping mechanism is attached is secured to the front wall 22 of the frame. The tripping mechanism comprises a lever 63 pivoted at 64 and a second lever 65 pivotally connected at 66. An arm 6'! is attached to the lever 65 at 68, the free end ,of whichengages the lever 51. Tension springs 69 and 10 are attached at -'H to the plate 62 and the opposite ends of said springs are attached to the levers 63 and 65, respectively. The upper end of the lever 63 is notched as indicated at 12 and the free end of the lever 65 is notched as indicated at 13. When the handle member 44 is moved in the direction of the arrow 41 against the tension of the spring 14, the lever 63 will be moved forwardly bytension of the spring 69 until the end thereof engages the notched end 13 of the lever 65. When in this position the lever 63 is substantially vertical and the handle member 44 is in engagement with the notched end 12 as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The lever 44 will be prevented from returning to normal position due to engagement of the levers 63 and 65.

In order to release the projected fingers 35 and simultaneously therewith release the platform to cause discharge of the packaged articles, the portion 6| of the lever 60 is depressed causing the lever 51 to swing outwardly thereby disengaging its end 56 from the platform projection 58. As the lever 51 swings outwardly its engagement with the lever 61 will cause movement of the same about the pivot 68 and at the same time cause the lever 65 to swing about its pivot 66 to cause disengagement thereof with the corresponding lever 63. Thus engagement of the levers 63 and 65 respectively permits the actuating arm 44 to return to normal position through the agency of the spring '14 and with the return of the arm 44 to normal position, the fingers 35 will be caused to return to normal position.

lAS afore indicated, the metallic ring 32 is removably positioned within the central opening and if desired a ring having a smooth inner surface can be employed for wrapping special articles. Referring to Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings, it will be noted that the ring is formed with a relatively smooth inner surface 16 and that the device is disclosed as wrapping an article such as a glass tumbler or the like 11. When wrapping such articles it is preferred to use Cellophane or like material having a non-crinkable surface. Thus a ring such as illustrated at 15 is preferred since there are no crinkled edges to be engaged by the ring and held in association with the article to be wrapped. The construction of the folding fingers employed in this form is substantially the same as hereinabove described in connection with the preferred form of the invention.

It is believed that the operation of the device is readily obvious from the above description taken in connection with the illustrated drawings. In the initial operation the package 24 and wrapper are first disposed within the ring-lined opening with the ends of the wrapper projecting above the top plane of the device as more clearly shown in Figure 12 of the drawings. In this position the toothed ring 32 will effectively hold the crinkled surface of the wrapper in engagement with the side walls of the article 24. It will be noted that the top end of the article 24 rests upon the platform 25 and that the seal is applied to the folded edges of the wrapper on the bottom surface of the article. The fingers 35 are then moved from the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings to the position shown in Figure 3 by rotating the ring 43 in the direction of the arrow 41 through the mediumof the actuating handle 44. Rotation of the ring through the medium of the projecting pins 4| and slots 42 causes the fingers 35 to project laterally within the guide members 39. As the handle member 44 is moved in the direction of the arrow 41 it permits the lever 63 through the medium of the tensioned spring 69 to return to its normal vertical position and to become engaged with the notched end I3 of the lever 65. Thus the fingers 35 are retained in' locked position and when projected laterally gather the extending edges of the Wrapper and fold the same over the bottom portion of the article 24. The folded edges are then sealed by the sealing means 48 or other appropriate means, the platform 25 serving as a firm supporting surface since it is locked through the medium of the lever 51 engaging the projection 58. After application A of the seal, the finished article is discharged through the opening 23 in the front wall of the frame by depressing the portion 6| of the lever 66 to effect the operation above described. It is to be understood that the weight of the article tilts the platform to the dotted line position shown in Figure 7 against the weight of the counterbalance 28, 'where the article is received upon a conveyer or other supporting surface to be placed in packing cases.

What I claim is:

1. A wrapping machine including a frame to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, said frame having an opening in the top wall thereof for receiving the article and wrapper, a platform hingedly mounted to said frame and disposed beneath said opening adapted to support the article and wrapper with the edges of the wrapperextending above the article, means carried by said frame for gathering and folding the extending edges of said wrapper, said means including a plurality of laterally extending fingers slidably disposed adjacent said opening, uide means for said fingers carried by said frame, and means for projecting said fingers into engagement with said. wrapper.

2. A device of the character described for folding the edges of a wrapper covering an article to be wrapped comprising, a frame having an opening in the top wall thereof, a platform hingedly mounted to said frame and disposed beneath said opening adapted to support the article and wrapper with the edges of the wrapper extending above the opening, a supporting plate attached tothe upper face of the top wall, folding means carried by said plate, said means including a plurality of fingers slidably disposed adjacent said opening, guide means for said fingers carried by said frame, each of said fingers having a pin projecting therefrom, a ring disposed over said fingers and formed with slots for receiving said pins, whereby actuation of said ring laterally projects said fingers into engagement with said wrapper, and means for retaining said fingers in projected position.

3. A wrapping machine including a frame to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, said frame having an opening in the top wall thereof for receiving the article and.

wrapper, a platform disposed beneath the opening adapted to support the article and wrapper with the edges of the wrapper extending above the article, stationary means adapted to hold the wrapper against the wall of the article, a plate secured to the top wall of said frame and having an opening concentric with the opening in said top wall, triangular shaped guide members attached inspaced relation on said plate, a plurality of metallic fingers supported in said guide members and adapted to be laterally projected for folding the extending edges of said wrapper, and means for actuating said fingers.

4. A wrapping machine including a frame to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, said frame having an opening in the top wall thereof for receiving the article and wrapper, a platform disposed beneath the opening adapted to support the article and wrapper with the edges of the wrapper extending above the article, an annular member having spaced teeth formed thereon lining said opening and adapted to hold the wrapper against the wall of the article, a plate secured to the top wall of said frame and having an opening concentric with the opening in said top wall, triangular shaped guide members attached in spaced relation on said plate, a plurality of metallic fingers supported in said guide members and adapted to be laterally projected for folding the extending edges of said wrapper, and means for actuating said fingers.

5. A wrapping machine including a frame to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, said frame having an opening-in the top wall thereof for receiving the article and wrapper, a platform disposed beneath the opening adapted to support the article and wrapper with the edges of the wrapper extending above the article, stationary means adapted to hold the wrapper against the wall of the article, a plate secured to the top wall of said frame and having an opening concentric with the opening in said top wall, triangular shaped guide members attached in spaced relation on said plate, a plurality of metallic fingers supported in said guide members and adapted to be laterally projected for folding the extending edges of said wrapper, an actuating ring resting upon and having engagement with said fingers, and means for confining said ring, said ring adapted to be actuated for laterally projecting said fingers.

6. A wrapping machine including a frame to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, said frame having an opening in the top wall thereof for receiving the article and wrapper, a platform disposed beneath the opening adapted to support the article and wrapper with the edges of the wrapper extending above the article, stationary means adapted to hold the wrapper against the wall of the article, a plate secured to the top wall of the saidframe and having an opening concentric with the opening in said top wall, triangular shaped guide members attached in spaced relation on said plate, a plurality of metallic fingers supported in said guide members and adapted to be laterally projected for folding the extending edges of said wrapper, an actuating ring resting upon and having engagement with the said fingers, means for confining said ring, said ring adapted to be actuated for laterally projecting said fingers, and means for retaining said fingers in projected position.

7. A device of the character described for folding the edges of a wrapper. covering an article to be wrapped comprising, a substantially closed frame having an opening in the top wall thereoffor receiving the article and wrapper, a platform disposed beneath said opening adapted to support the article and wrapper with the edges of the wrapper extending through said opening, means carried by said frame adjacent said opening for gathering and folding the extending edges of said wrapper, the front end of said frame being open to permit discharge of the wrapped article, a plate secured to said front end above said opening, latch means attached to said plate having engagement with said platform for retaining the same in supporting position, and means associated with said latch means for locking said folding means in folding position.

8. A wrapping machine including a frame to re-@ ceive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, said frame having an opening in the top wall thereof for receiving the article and wrapper, a platform disposed beneath the opening adapted .to support the article and wrapper with the edges of the wrapper extending above the article, stationary means adapted to hold the wrapper against the wall of the article, a plate secured to the top wall of said frame and having an opening concentric with the opening in said top wall, triangular shaped guide members attached in spaced relation on said plate, a plurality of metallic fingers supported in said guide members and adapted to be laterally projected for folding the extending edges of said wrapper, each of said fingers having a pin projecting vertically therefrom, an actuating ring resting upon said fingers and formed with slots having engagement with said pins, and means for rotating said ring to laterally project said fingers for folding the extending edges of said wrapper.

9. A wrapping machine including a frame to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, said frame having an opening in the top wall thereof for receiving the article and wrapper, a platform disposed beneath the opening adapted to support the article and wrapper with the edges of the wrapper extending above the article, stationary means adapted to hold the wrapper against the wall of the article, a plate secured to the top wall of said frame and having an opening concentric with the opening in said top wall, triangular shaped guide members attached in spaced relation on said plate, a plurality of metallic fingers supported in said guide members and adapted to be laterally projected for folding the extending edges of said wrapper, each of said fingers having a pin projecting vertically therefrom, an actuating ring resting upon said fingers and formed with slots having engagement with said pins, means for rotating said ring to laterally project said fingers for folding the extending edges of said wrapper, and means for locking said ring and fingers in projected position.

EDWARD A. MULLER. 

